A rectal irrigation is used for children (and adults, presumably) with spina bifida and other issues where there are problems with the nerves and spinal cord. It involves using a saline solution to irrigate the bowel, and cause feces and gas out of the large intestine. It is easier to do this with older children than with younger children.

Some children have had success with the Chait procedure, which reduces the amount of times irrigation is needed. Other children need a colostomy.